Lohud Rockland Bloghttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com
Rockland County updates from the staff of lohud.com and The Journal News Mon, 03 Jul 2017 09:31:30 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4lohudblogs/rocklandhttps://feedburner.google.comCatholic teachers to protest at Archdiocese headquartershttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/03/26/catholic-teachers-to-protest-at-archdiocese-headquarters/
Thu, 26 Mar 2015 16:57:07 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/03/26/catholic-teachers-to-protest-at-archdiocese-headquarters/The Federation of Catholic Teachers said it will protest Thursday at 5 p.m. in front of the Archdiocese of New York headquarters in Manhattan. The union, which has been in contract talks with the Archdiocese since last year, has filed unfair labor practice charges against the Archdiocese’s Association of Catholic... Read More →

]]>The Federation of Catholic Teachers said it will protest Thursday at 5 p.m. in front of the Archdiocese of New York headquarters in Manhattan.

The union, which has been in contract talks with the Archdiocese since last year, has filed unfair labor practice charges against the Archdiocese’s Association of Catholic Schools.

Union President Julia Pignataro said the Archdiocese has threatened to close schools if the union insists on a salary increase, even though it has saved money after closing schools in 2011 and 2013 and is making money in rents.

“I began as a Catholic school teacher more than 40 years ago and I have never seen the members of this union so angry,” Pignataro said in a statement. “We deserve a fair wage increase!”

]]>April 1 deadline for applications for buses to private schoolshttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/03/25/april-1-deadline-for-applications-for-buses-to-private-schools/
Wed, 25 Mar 2015 19:59:06 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/03/25/april-1-deadline-for-applications-for-buses-to-private-schools/Parents of students who will attend private schools next fall must apply for transportation to their local district by April 1. Non-city school districts must provide buses to elementary students who live between two and 15 miles from their private school and to high school students who live between three... Read More →

]]>Parents of students who will attend private schools next fall must apply for transportation to their local district by April 1.

Non-city school districts must provide buses to elementary students who live between two and 15 miles from their private school and to high school students who live between three and fifteen miles from their school. In a few cases, districts provide transportation beyond the 15-mile limit.

Ardsley, for one, has put out a call for applications for the four districts for which it handles bus service. Ardsley residents should visit ardsleyschools.org and click on “Facilities and Transportation.” Dobbs Ferry residents should visit dfsd.org and click on “Parent Resources.” Hastings residents should visit hohschools.org and click on “District-Business Office.” Irvington residents should visit irvingtonschools.org and click on “Students & Parents.”

]]>Schumer calls for extension, strengthening of college tax credithttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/02/25/schumer-calls-for-extension-strengthening-of-college-tax-credit/
Wed, 25 Feb 2015 22:25:34 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/02/25/schumer-calls-for-extension-strengthening-of-college-tax-credit/Calling a college education a necessity priced as a luxury, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said he will introduce legislation this week to extend a college tax credit for the middle class that is set to expire in 2017. He also wants to hike the income level for qualifying families... Read More →

]]>Calling a college education a necessity priced as a luxury, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said he will introduce legislation this week to extend a college tax credit for the middle class that is set to expire in 2017.

He also wants to hike the income level for qualifying families from $180,000 to $200,000 and increase the credit from $2,500 to $3,000. The American Opportunity Tax Credit has been in place since 2009.

“This is critical, critical, critical for New York State’s middle class to advance,” Schumer said in a conference call Wednesday.

Credits come off the bottom line of the tax bill, as opposed to deductions which reduce taxable income.

The average in-state tuition for public colleges increased $300 to $9,100 in 2014, Schumer said, citing the College Board. The credit could help the families of more than 51,000 college students enrolled in school in Westchester and Rockland, he said, with the tax impact totaling more than $150 million.

]]>Would YOU want to pose nude today?http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/01/24/would-you-want-to-pose-nude-today/
Sat, 24 Jan 2015 14:50:19 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/01/24/would-you-want-to-pose-nude-today/Got a message from Elliott Forrest at ArtsRock this morning. They’ve postponed tonight’s Andy Golub live painting demonstration and conversation. You may recall that Golub, who lives in South Nyack, uses naked bodies as canvases. Faced with nearly a foot of snow on the ground and sketchy road conditions, Forrest... Read More →

]]>Got a message from Elliott Forrest at ArtsRock this morning. They’ve postponed tonight’s Andy Golub live painting demonstration and conversation. You may recall that Golub, who lives in South Nyack, uses naked bodies as canvases. Faced with nearly a foot of snow on the ground and sketchy road conditions, Forrest and his team have moved the event to Feb. 7 at Union Arts Center in Sparkill. Face it: Would YOU want to pose nude today?

]]>Stony Point to hold meeting on waste-to-energy planthttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2015/01/06/stony-point-to-hold-meeting-on-waste-to-energy-plant/
Tue, 06 Jan 2015 20:46:00 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/?p=16455The Stony Point Planning and Town boards will hold a joint public information meeting to discuss a proposed waste-to-energy facility at 7 p.m. Thursday at the James A. Farley Elementary School at 140 Route 210, Stony Point. The plan has been proposed for the site located at 30, 45 and 50... Read More →

]]>The Stony Point Planning and Town boards will hold a joint public information meeting to discuss a proposed waste-to-energy facility at 7 p.m. Thursday at the James A. Farley Elementary School at 140 Route 210, Stony Point.

The plan has been proposed for the site located at 30, 45 and 50 Holt Drive by New Planet Energy, which specializes in renewable-energy production using waste materials, along with MBC Contractors, owned by local developer Patrick Magee.

If built, the plant would convert garbage into a synthetic gas that could be used to produce diesel fuel.

At the meeting, the applicants will describe the proposed facility and the process to produce renewable biofuels.

Haverstraw officials have opposed the project, arguing that trucks bringing waste to the plant would clog Route 9W. They also worry about odors, though Stony Point has said the waste would be kept in sealed containers.

]]>Rockland seeks nominations for Civil Rights Hall of Famehttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2014/12/18/rockland-seeks-nominations-for-civil-rights-hall-of-fame/
Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:12:32 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/?p=16451NEW CITY The county is seeking nominations for the Civil and Human Rights Hall of Fame. The Rockland County Civil and Human Rights Hall of Fame was launched in 2003 as part of the Commission on Human Rights 40th Anniversary celebration. “This annual program recognizes local residents who have made significant... Read More →

]]>NEW CITY The county is seeking nominations for the Civil and Human Rights Hall of Fame.

The Rockland County Civil and Human Rights Hall of Fame was launched in 2003 as part of the Commission on Human Rights 40th Anniversary celebration.

“This annual program recognizes local residents who have made significant contributions to the advancement of equality, diversity, human and civil rights in Rockland County,” said County Executive Ed Day. “We are proud to continue this tradition by selecting a new group of deserving individuals who have made lasting impacts on our communities.”

Any individual, living or deceased, who has made long-term contributions to human and civil rights in Rockland is eligible to be nominated.

The nomination deadline is Jan. 17.

Led by Ram Nagubandi, commissioner of human rights, a panel of volunteers from diverse backgrounds will select the 2015 inductees. The panel will consider a nominees’ experiences, worthy activities and causes that advanced human and civil rights in Rockland.

]]>FERC postpones environmental report on Algonquin pipelinehttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2014/12/11/ferc-postpones-environmental-report-on-algonquin-pipeline/
Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:03:54 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2014/12/11/ferc-postpones-environmental-report-on-algonquin-pipeline/The Federal Energy Regulatory Agency has postponed the final environmental impact statement on the Algonquin pipeline replacement project until January. The agency had set Dec. 19 as the date to issue the study, which has drawn widespread interest from residents and activists opposed to the pipeline work. FERC said it... Read More →

]]>The Federal Energy Regulatory Agency has postponed the final environmental impact statement on the Algonquin pipeline replacement project until January.

The agency had set Dec. 19 as the date to issue the study, which has drawn widespread interest from residents and activists opposed to the pipeline work. FERC said it needs more time to evaluate data submissions from Spectra Energy, the owner of the more than 1,100 mile pipeline, which runs through Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. The new date is Jan. 23.

Spectra has proposed replacing sections of its 26-inch transmission pipeline with a 42-inch pipeline and making other equipment modifications to increase the flow of gas to New England. FERC has approval authority over the project because it crosses state lines.

Photo: Officials and residents protest the Algonquin Incremental Market Project before a FERC public hearing in Cortlandt in September.

]]>Carlucci wants unclaimed lottery prizes to fund kindergartenhttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2014/12/11/carlucci-wants-unclaimed-lottery-prizes-to-fund-kindergarten/
Thu, 11 Dec 2014 10:45:27 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/?p=16444NANUET One day before the expiration date of a $1 million Powerball ticket sold in the hamlet, a state representative announced proposed legislation that would fund kindergarten with unclaimed lottery prizes. Quick Mart at 38 N. Middletown Road sold the second-prize ticket for the Dec. 11, 2013, Powerball drawing, but... Read More →

]]>NANUET One day before the expiration date of a $1 million Powerball ticket sold in the hamlet, a state representative announced proposed legislation that would fund kindergarten with unclaimed lottery prizes.

Quick Mart at 38 N. Middletown Road sold the second-prize ticket for the Dec. 11, 2013, Powerball drawing, but no one has yet to claim his or her victory even though the ticket’s expiration date is approaching.

If the prize is not claimed by Thursday, the money will be returned to the prize pool for future winners.

Though his proposal is too late for this $1 million prize, Sen. David Carlucci, D-New City, on Wednesday visited the store to announce a bill that would create a new fund to divert unclaimed lottery ticket winnings towards a statewide kindergarten program. Currently, kindergarten is not state mandate. Financially-struggling school districts, including North Rockland, offer half-day programs, while others can invest in full-day programs.

“This legislation will provide much-needed funds to school districts to support their kindergarten programs so that every child in New York will continue to have access to the important benefits kindergarten offers,” Carlucci said, adding that studies have shown that early education have a profound effect on children’s development. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure our children have the best early education they can receive.”

State Sen. David Carlucci chat with Charul Barreto, co-owner of Quick Mart in Nanuet. (Photo courtesy of Sen. Carlucci’s office.)

]]>Pearl River: Community meeting to be held on Anellotech facilityhttp://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2014/12/08/pearl-river-community-meeting-to-be-held-on-anellotech-facility/
Mon, 08 Dec 2014 10:45:01 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/?p=16438PEARL RIVER A community-organized meeting is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Pearl River Library to discuss concerns related to the recent proposal by Anellotech, a tech-based start-up who houses at the Pfizer campus. Anellotech wants to build an addition to its existing facility on the campus on North... Read More →

]]>PEARL RIVER A community-organized meeting is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Pearl River Library to discuss concerns related to the recent proposal by Anellotech, a tech-based start-up who houses at the Pfizer campus.

Anellotech wants to build an addition to its existing facility on the campus on North Middletown Road.

A 15-foot-high vent pipe would be attached on top of the 84-foot-tall extension building, according to the plan. The company has been before the Orangetown Zoning Board of Appeals for review.

Neighbors of the facility said they were concerned because they have come to believe that the vent pipe is actually a “smokestack.”

Upon request from organizers, Anellotech’s lead engineer Chuck Sorensen has agreed to attend the meeting to answer any science-related questions on the company’s project, organizers said.

Anellotech specializes in converting non-food organic waste — such as sawdust and the byproducts of corn and sugar cane processing — into a mixture of industrial chemicals — benzene, xylene and toluene. The new facility would serve as a pilot plant for the new technology before building a commercial-scale facility elsewhere.

]]>#lohudelf: Share Your Elf on the Shelf Photos and Win!http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/2014/12/04/lohudelf-share-your-elf-on-the-shelf-photos-and-win/
Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:47:17 +0000http://rockland.lohudblogs.com/?p=16432We know parents love to come up with creative places to set the Elf scene. So show us what he’s up to! Use hashtag #lohudelf on Twitter and Instagram and we’ll choose the best photos to feature in The Journal News. Plus, we’ll choose one #lohudelf photo each week until Christmas Day... Read More →

]]>We know parents love to come up with creative places to set the Elf scene. So show us what he’s up to! Use hashtag #lohudelf on Twitter and Instagram and we’ll choose the best photos to feature in The Journal News.